More than 100 arrested during Thembelihle raid

More than hundred people have been arrested for various charges in a joint raid by the army, the SA Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg metro police department in Thembelihle informal settlement in Lenasia on Thursday.

”The operation started at 2am and still continues. More than 50 people have so far been arrested for possession of dagga, dangerous weapons such as pangas. Others were wanted suspects who had been evading arrest,” said Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant Kay Makhubela.

”Some of them are being arrested for being in the country illegally. Officials from the Department of Home Affairs are on site verifying their status.”

”Two illegal firearms have been confiscated so far,” Makhubela said.

Makhubela said the raid was being conducted after intelligence received showed there were criminal activities taking place in the area. Recently, the police accompanied by the army raided

Jeppestown in the Johannesburg CBD and in the Alexandra township in the north of Johannesburg. A stop and search was also conducted in Hillbrow.

Makhubela said the raids would continue in areas where illegal activities were taking place.